About this role
Job summary
Join our growing Foot & Ankle service and play a key role in shaping specialist care across County Durham and Darlington.
We are seeking an enthusiastic Consultant Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Surgeon with a specialist interest in diabetic foot care to support the expansion of our service and strengthen close working with Podiatry colleagues. This is an exciting opportunity to deliver high-quality care for patients with a wide range of foot and ankle conditions while contributing to service innovation and development.
Based at Darlington Memorial Hospital, the role includes outpatient, theatre and multidisciplinary commitments across Bishop Auckland Hospital and University Hospital of North Durham, with opportunities to support peripheral clinics.
Working within a supportive and forward-thinking multidisciplinary team, you will help drive excellent clinical outcomes and improve patient experience across the Trust.
A valid UK driving licence is essential due to the multi-site nature of the post.
Shape the future of Foot & Ankle and Diabetic Foot services with us.
Main duties of the job
The successful candidate will lead and expand an orthopaedic-led diabetic foot service, working closely with a highly skilled multidisciplinary team to deliver exceptional care for patients with complex diabetic foot conditions. They will work in partnership with colleagues across Diabetic Medicine, Podiatry, Vascular Surgery, Radiology and Infection Services, helping to provide coordinated, evidence-based care and improve patient outcomes.
The post holder will join an experienced team of three Foot & Ankle Consultants and contribute to the delivery of both elective and urgent foot and ankle services. This will include outpatient clinics, theatre sessions, multidisciplinary team meetings and specialist consultations, providing expert input into the management of complex cases. Full participate in on call rota requirments for general trauma.
The successful applicant will support the continued growth and development of Foot & Ankle services across the Trust, helping to shape innovative care pathways and enhance the patient experience. They will also contribute to teaching, clinical governance, quality improvement and service development activities.
About us
If you are being interviewed you must accept an interview slot in the system to continue, even if you have arranged with the manager.
You must be able to produce ALL certificates stated essential in the person specification or you will not be able to complete pre-employment checks.
We provide hospital services from two acute sites - Darlington Memorial Hospital and University Hospital of North Durham. We have a centre for planned care in Bishop Auckland and provide care from community hospitals in Chester-le-Street, Shotley Bridge, Barnard Castle, Sedgefield and Weardale as well as over 80 other community based settings and providing care in patients' homes.
We particularly welcome applications from disabled and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates as BAME and disabled people are currently under-represented.
Full Job Descriptions can be found in the adverts supporting documents.
Over reliance on AI-generated content is discouraged and may diminish the applicant's chances of success.
For the most up-to-date information on visa requirements and eligibility, please check online to determine whether you can apply.
Please note that we may close any vacancy early once a sufficient number of applications have been received.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgery department is a surgical specialty within the larger Surgical Care Group. The unit currently provides Orthopaedic Surgery services to the population of Durham, Darlington, North Yorkshire, Bishop Auckland, Sunderland, South Tyneside and Gateshead.
Based from respective acute sites, DMH and UHND host 11 Orthopaedic consultants on each site. Sub specialties include: Hip and Knee Arthroplasty, Paediatrics, Upper Limb, Foot & Ankle and Hand Surgery (See Appendix A)
Orthopaedics has a dedicated elective ward on the Bishop Auckland Site, with Orthopaedics being the leading speciality in the development and achievment of the Surgical Elective Hub.
There is intensive care and HDU provision on the two base sites (UHND and DMH).
A dedicated Orthopaedic surgery secretarial team is provided a named secretary will be identified to support you with your administrative workload
The main duties of the post advertised is as follows:
- 1. The post holder will form part of the collective responsibility held by all consultants within the speciality to deliver a safe and outstanding Trauma and Orthopaedic service to the service users of CDDFT and fully participate on the on call rota.
- 2. They will play an active role in for planning future developments in the service.
- 3. The Consultant has a continuing responsibility for the care of patients in his/her charge and for the proper functioning of the department in which they work.
- 4. The post holder will be responsible for the professional and educational supervision of junior staff.
- 4. The post holder will be expected to participate in the postgraduate teaching of medical staff as well as teaching of undergraduates attached to the Trust and in the training of all grades of staff.
- 5. Research activities, which are considered to be an inherent part of normal clinical duties, will be encouraged and limited research funding may be available following successful applications to the local Research and Development Committee.
- 6. Continuing Professional Development (CPD) the post holder is responsible for ensuring that he/she meets the national requirements for CPD, both internal and external. He/she will be expected to attend regularly and contribute to the weekly half-day educational session held by the Directorate.
- 7. It is expected that the post holder will participate in clinical audit.
- 8. The post holder will be expected to participate in clinical governance arrangements in line with national and local guidelines and in respect of undergraduate and postgraduate teaching in the Trust in accordance with current best practice.
- 9. If the post holder is involved in the care of a patient who subsequently initiates a claim against the Trust he/she will be expected to provide, free of charge, an opinion and statement of facts on the case.
- 10. The post holder will be expected to deputise in the absence of colleagues in cases of annual leave, study leave and sickness as far as is practicable and ensure continuous patient care
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Comprehensive knowledge in Orthopaedic and Trauma surgery. Fellowship trained in Foot & Ankle Surgery. Experience with all aspects of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery
- Provider status for Advanced Trauma Life Support.
- Specialist Diabetic foot knowledge and treatment competencies
Desirable
- Working with multidiciplinary teams
Special Requirements
Essential
- A valid UK driving licence
- Fluent in English
Desirable
- Willingness to become involved in departmental research projects and to lead some research or academic development
Qualifications
Essential
- MRCS, FRCS or equivalent, FRCS(Orth) or equivalent Registerable Medical Degree
Desirable
- Formal management training
Special Skills & Knowledge
Essential
- Previous management experience
- Ability to supervise trainees.
- Willingness to perform management role within department Familiarity with the audit process.
- Regular involvement in audit Evidence of active teaching of junior doctors and nurses.
- A strong commitment to under-graduate education.
- Willingness and ability to participate equally in a multi-disciplinary team.
- Proven ability to work well within a team.
- Ability to liaise well with colleagues in other specialties. Good communication and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to cope with stress.
- Good discipline and motivation.
Desirable
- Certificate of Medical Education or other formal training programme.
- Instructor status for Advanced Trauma Life Support.
Statutory Registration
Essential
- Full registration with the GMC, including licence to practise.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details
Employer name
County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Darlington Memorial Hospital NHS Trust
Hollyhurst Road
Darlington
County Durham
DL3 6HX
United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://www.cddft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)